[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 213 (Wednesday, December 17, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H5946]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORTING WHOLE MILK FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN

  (Mr. MANNION asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MANNION. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of legislation that 
promotes the health and well-being of America's schoolchildren, while 
strengthening American agriculture, including the world-class dairy 
products and family farms across Central New York and the Mohawk 
Valley. That legislation, Mr. Speaker, is the Whole Milk for Healthy 
Kids Act.
  Earlier this week, the House passed this bill with overwhelming 
bipartisan support, a clear sign that commonsense policy can still 
bring Democrats and Republicans together.
  This bipartisan bill that I proudly cosponsored does something simple 
and practical. It gives schools the flexibility to serve nutritious 
milk options, while supporting local dairy farmers.
  Since whole milk was removed from school cafeterias, milk consumption 
has dropped sharply. Kids aren't meeting recommended daily intake, and 
that matters for their health and their focus. Speaking as a former 
teacher for nearly three decades, it matters for their academic 
success.
  Mr. Speaker, notably, this bill doesn't mandate changes. It simply 
restores choice. Kids can't learn on empty stomachs. This is the right 
policy for our schools, for our farmers, and for our country. I thank 
my colleagues for supporting it.

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